About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
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Rates, Sites & Availability
44 Sites Available
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Site Details
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44 Sites Available
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Reviews (534)
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks is a beautiful, well-maintained campground near Buena Vista, offering large, private sites and exceptionally clean restrooms. Visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, proximity to hiking trails and hot springs, as well as the presence of wildlife. While some sites may not be level and there were occasional issues with water quality and host availability, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks is a beautiful, well-maintained campground near Buena Vista, offering large, private sites and exceptionally clean restrooms. Visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, proximity to hiking trails and hot springs, as well as the presence of wildlife. While some sites may not be level and there were occasional issues with water quality and host availability, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers eager to return.
Review Summary
Kathryn D
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Very nice campground. Sites are good and everything, including bathrooms were very clean. Stayed for 2 days by myself and was comfortable the whole time.
Kathryn D
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Very nice campground. Sites are good and everything, including bathrooms were very clean. Stayed for 2 days by myself and was comfortable the whole time.
Meghan L
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: P, Loop: COLL
Cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen. Great location. Close to many awesome trails. Huge campsite and close to the restrooms. Great camp hosts.
Meghan L
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: P, Loop: COLL
Cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen. Great location. Close to many awesome trails. Huge campsite and close to the restrooms. Great camp hosts.
Henry G
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2024 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Nothing for public review.
Henry G
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2024 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Nothing for public review.
Stacy H
VerifiedAugust 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campground! We were in site 13, and it was massive. So fun to explore and plenty of space between the sites in our area. I noticed other sections where sites were closer together however. You could hear the river running nearby. Camp hosts were super nice. Facilities were clean. Would definitely go back!
Stacy H
VerifiedAugust 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campground! We were in site 13, and it was massive. So fun to explore and plenty of space between the sites in our area. I noticed other sections where sites were closer together however. You could hear the river running nearby. Camp hosts were super nice. Facilities were clean. Would definitely go back!
Valerie N
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
We loved Collegiate Peaks. We had come over from two nights at Chalk Lake which is a much smaller campground and completely different. This campground is set in the forest, in aspen groves and it is so beautiful. We hiked to Hartenstein Lake one morning, from the Denny Creek Trailhead (Mount Yale) just literally a mile down from the campground. Vault toilets are super clean. It's big enough that you can make a good 20-minute loop walk from end to end of the campground. Road is pretty pot-holey but it was doable in my Toyota Highlander with a small trailer, if I went slowly. Campsite is nice, big and clean, campsites are huge and private. Really lovely. When we left we headed out west on CR 306 and went over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Lake and Crested Butte. Gorgeous drive. You Coloradoans are sooooooooo lucky.
Valerie N
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
We loved Collegiate Peaks. We had come over from two nights at Chalk Lake which is a much smaller campground and completely different. This campground is set in the forest, in aspen groves and it is so beautiful. We hiked to Hartenstein Lake one morning, from the Denny Creek Trailhead (Mount Yale) just literally a mile down from the campground. Vault toilets are super clean. It's big enough that you can make a good 20-minute loop walk from end to end of the campground. Road is pretty pot-holey but it was doable in my Toyota Highlander with a small trailer, if I went slowly. Campsite is nice, big and clean, campsites are huge and private. Really lovely. When we left we headed out west on CR 306 and went over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Lake and Crested Butte. Gorgeous drive. You Coloradoans are sooooooooo lucky.
Location Collegiate Peaks
Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 306. At the stoplight, go west for 11 miles
toward Cottonwood Pass. Campground is located on the left-hand side of the
road. Highway 306 is paved on east side of Cottonwood Pass.
Collegiate Peaks Campground is accessed via Highway 306, which connects to the south near Buena Vista and heads west toward Cottonwood Pass.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.8131 / -106.315
Elevation: 3013 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Please disinfect waders and boots when fishing in beaver ponds; this will help protect endangered toads from the spread of chytrid fungus
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
- No hookups available
- Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
- If reservations are not available, some campsites are first come-first served, also called "Walk-up" sites. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the SAME NIGHT they are paid for. Due to the remote nature of campgrounds, calling to check availability prior to arrival is not possible.
- About 15 minutes from the Collegiate Peaks campground is Cottonwood Lake Campground, a first come-first served, no reservation facility which is located on County Road 344. It is a very popular site for campers, as well as anglers. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends. Camping and campfires are restricted in on County Rd 344 to developed campgrounds only. Starting at about 1 mile west of Cottonwood Lake campground dispersed, primitive camping is allowed.
- Two vehicles or one RV/Trailer and tow vehicle per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle.
- Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
